HEROS - Gifting a horse to HEROS

Download the Gifting Terms & Conditions:

HEROS aims to rehome and retrain as many horses as possible into useful and fulfilling lives. Whilst there is no age limit on horses coming into HEROS, every horse that applies has to be fully assessed verbally with the owner before we move forward. We do not take horses to put them down as we consider this to be the owner’s responsibility. We concentrate on horses that are able to do a job, however, we are also very pro-active and experienced at horses needing specialist care for rehabilitation following a previous injury. Obviously seasonality and current numbers on site restrict us but we do run a strict waiting list. This does not mean you will be waiting for months as the list is reviewed on a weekly basis.

  • Contact HEROS office on 01488 638820 and give a full background including full disclosure of any items relating to your horse’s health or behaviour which are relevant. This must include notifying us of any previous or ongoing injuries and temperament traits he/she may have or previously have had. A form will be given with your pack, which you will need to sign and have witnessed as full disclosure.
  • It is essential that the horse’s flu vaccinations are up to date before he /she arrives here. If they are not you will be required to pay for the first 3 vaccinations when his/her new course is started on arrival.
  • If your horse is coming in from a non-professional yard ie: a non racing yard, a full veterinary check, including a blood test for general health and a strangles blood must be carried out. These must be carried out prior to the horse coming to us, and a report issued to us by the vet.
  • We will send you out a pack which explains everything and include a “Memorandum of Gift” form which you will need to complete and return and keep a copy of it for yourself.
  • When a horse comes into HEROS a donation is requested, which recognises the ongoing care the horse will receive. This will relate to its current health and its ability and time to be rehomed.
  • All donations go towards running the charity and help more horses get rehomed. They also help us to maintain the high standards we work to and increase the amount of horses we can rehome. If you are a tax payer then a Gift Aid form can also be completed.
  • You will also be asked to complete and sign a Non Racing Agreement, which will be lodged at Weatherbys. This prevents any racing entries ever being made for your horse in the future.
  • You will also be offered the chance to set up a continuous standing order to HEROS and become a member of the HEROS club. This is not compulsory with an incoming horse but assists us significantly with the cost of running the charity a lot and the amount would be up to you.
  • When all the paperwork is in order and the donation is received, we will agree a delivery or collection date. You can either bring the horse(s) in yourself or we can collect. If the latter you will be required to pay for the transport as we use a third party. These transport charges will include VAT and you will be invoiced by the transporter.
  • When your horse arrives it will be individually assessed and the appropriate rehabilitation and re-training programme designed to suit its individual needs.
  • If you have any tack or rugs to donate with the horse they must be sent in clean, labelled with the horses name on and bagged with a separate itinerary list.
  • Horses coming to HEROS are either loaned or sold and this is subject to your wishes stated on the “Memorandum of Gift” form. This will have been discussed during the initial phone call.
  • Each horse is freezemarked with the HEROS recognised brand which all start with HR followed by their specific number.
  • When the horse is rehomed we will inform you of his/her progress and if the new loanee agrees, we will make arrangements for a visit. However, you would not be able to visit until after the first 3 month check has been done, as we like to give the new loanee a settling in period with the horse first. If it is their specific wish that the previous owner does not visit we would have to stand by that decision but would always keep you informed.

You are welcome to call us at any time for an update of progress or visit the horse whilst he/she is still with us at HEROS by calling the numbers below.

Please read the Terms and Conditions of loaning or buying a horse for further information on the other rehoming procedures through HEROS.

Office number Hilary or Grace: 01488 638820
Grace’s mobile: 07770 877543
Grace Muir
Chief Executive
July 2009